Wilson to Atlanta in swap of former AHL All-Stars

The Atlanta Thrashers, parent club of the AHL’s Chicago Wolves, have acquired defenseman Clay Wilson and a sixth-round selection in the 2009 NHL Entry Draft from the Columbus Blue Jackets in exchange for forward Jason Williams.

Wilson has been assigned to the Wolves by Atlanta.

Wilson, 25, has registered one assist in five games this season with the Blue Jackets, while tallying 20 points (eight goals, 12 assists) in 33 games with the Syracuse Crunch of the American Hockey League. He has recorded three points (one goal, two assists) in 12 career NHL games with Columbus.

The 6-foot, 195-pound defenseman has totaled 147 points (41 goals, 106 assists) in 243 career AHL games with Grand Rapids, Portland and Syracuse. He was an AHL All-Star in 2008, representing the Crunch at the midseason event.

Prior to his professional career, the Sturgeon Lake, Minn., native appeared in 148 games with Michigan Tech from 2001-05, posting 57 points (17 goals, 40 assists).

Wilson was originally signed as a free agent by Anaheim on July 11, 2006 and was traded to Columbus with Aaron Rome, in exchange for Geoff Platt on Nov. 15, 2007.

The Thrashers also received a sixth-round selection, which Columbus originally acquired from San Jose, in the 2009 NHL Entry Draft.

Williams, 28, has recorded 18 points (seven assists, 11 assists) in 41 games with the Thrashers this season. The 5-11, 185-pound right wing has tallied 176 points (73 goals, 103 assists) in 337 career NHL games with Detroit, Chicago and Atlanta.

The London, Ont., native has appeared in 20 career Stanley Cup Playoff games, recording a goal and an assist while winning the 2002 Stanley Cup with Detroit.

Williams, a three-time 20-goal scorer in the AHL and an AHL All-Star in 2002, was signed by the Thrashers as a free agent on July 14, 2008.